Their story has been called the American Dream: a husband and wife team start a moonlight upholstery business in their garage to raise extra money to support their autistic son.

Fifteen years later, Sher and Eli Valenzuelas’ company, First State Manufacturing, is employing nearly 70 people and producing millions in revenue. On top of that, Sher is running for Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor.

Tonight, Sher Valenzuela will share this story with the nation, when she addresses the Republican Convention. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will close the evening.

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Comments [5]

Linda Creasy
from Lewes, DE

I actually thought that this was a pretty tame interview. Frankly, I was expecting an antagonistic approach from Hockenberry, given his political views which are clearly not conservative in nature. Granted, he did pander a bit as @dlmc suggested, but overall, it was a fluff interview. @dlmc is entirely correct in describing Ms. Valenzuela as an accomplished businesswoman, and strong candidate for the office of Lt. Governor of Delaware.

Sher and her husband Eli are personal friends of mine, and I can assure you, @RAOUL, that she EARNED every bit of the success her business now enjoys. She is an intelligent, determined, and persistent woman who was wise enough to enlist the support of SBA and other assistance programs that were already in place well before President Obama took office. His efforts had nothing to do with her success. It was her diligence in seeking the support needed to get First State Manufacturing off the ground, followed by her exemplary business skills that led to their current success. Said skills, by the way, will serve Sher well as Delaware's next Lt. Governor!

Finally, @RAOUL, the current economy is not "supposedly terrible" - it is a disaster. Any hope of restoring American prosperity now lies in the hands of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan!

I think Tom McCall is and interested political figure...he represented the republican party that my mother who is 74 and my grandmother belonged to. He was at the Convention with Ronald Regan and was not fond of Ronald Regan or of the direction he was taking the republican party. The State of Oregon owes a huge debt to Tom McCall and how he protected Beach Assess for all Oregonians...

Hockenberry misogynist. This was an insulting interview. Ms. Valenzuelas and the audience is owed an apology. Would you have asked a male speaker how many people come up to you and ask you what you are going to wear, about your hair. This women is not the editor of Cosmo. She is an accomplished business women and candidate for local office.